Refugees

The reality of being a refugee is inconceivable to most of us.

Today, wars are increasingly fought in ways that harm civilians. These conflicts force ordinary people from their homes, as they desperately search for safety and protection from violence and intimidation. Some cross international borders and become refugees; while others move to safer areas within their own country as internally displaced persons.

People become refugees or displaced people for a number of reasons:

They’re forced to flee persecution for their political or religious beliefs, ethnicity, nationality or membership of a particular social group

They’re compelled to leave as a result of war

They’re displaced because of “natural” disasters, occurring increasingly as a consequence of climate change

And often they are forced to flee to other countries to seek asylum where they may face further racial discrimination and similar problems caused by lack of acceptance; as if they haven’t suffered enough.

All refugees and internally displaced people have the right to receive assistance; the right to protection from abuse and the freedom to seek asylum. These rights were enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the basis of all human rights laws and conventions — which applies to everybody — regardless of who they are or where they come from.

What Oxfam is doing

Advocating for people’s rights

We seek to ensure that the systems and laws designed to protect and help people in times of crisis are doing what they’re supposed to. Often this means putting pressure on governments to respect and act according to their obligations.

We advocate that people in crisis situations have rights to asylum, obtain assistance and be protected from abuse.

We support and continue to advocate for the principle of the Responsibility to Protect. This principle makes it the responsibility of individual governments and the international community to protect civilians from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Protecting people in crisis

All people have the right to be protected from human rights violations, but during times of armed conflict people’s safety and security is often threatened.

80% of the world’s refugees are women and children, and violence against women, including rape, has become commonplace in conflicts worldwide.

We aim to protect people in crisis situations by helping to set up displaced people’s camps in ways that improve public safety.

Appropriate camp lighting, positioning of toilets, creation of special areas for vulnerable people such as unaccompanied women and children — all can reduce people’s vulnerability to harm.

Related links

How you can save lives

Please donate to our International Crisis Fund today. Together, we can ensure Oxfam staff are on the ground, ready to respond quickly and efficiently, to help those most in need when a natural or a man-made emergency occurs around the globe.

Oxfam Australia responds to emergencies in partnership with the global Oxfam confederation, and here we present the collective results. With support from the Australian people, Oxfam Australia contributes to these emergency response efforts around the world.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that the following pages may contain images or names of people who have since passed away.

Authorised by Helen Szoke, Oxfam Australia, Carlton

Oxfam Australia (ABN: 18 055 208 636) is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations of $2 or more to Oxfam are tax deductible in Australia. Oxfam Australia is a member of the Oxfam International confederation.